Rarely. Sometimes we can get rides with members to go visit truly elect people or references, but it's rare.
Is it starting to get cold down there?
Not yet. :( In fact, Campo Bom is known as the hottest part of the state, and the state is know as one of the hottest of the country. The funny thing is that where my companion is from (Amazon region) is nowhere near as hot as it gets here, nor does it ever get cold. Basically, every Brazilian will have a lot to get used to here.
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I felt like I was at home this week, because we ended up doing a lot of the labor I'm used to doing back home but in larger quantities. Something my mom would be glad to know is that we basically helped prepare gardens for a whole bundle of folks, picking weeds, hoeing out grass, etc. With all the work, I think I fulfilled my garden duties at home for at least the next few years, but I doubt Mom would let that slide. :P
Anyway, Hello everyone and welcome back. Besides the physical labors of the week, we were able to talk to many people. Something interesting that I've been able to see is that those who are generally more open to change, more curious, or have greater desires to follow God are those that are young. Many times when we teach a family, it seems that the young people (ages 12-30) are almost always open to the gospel, but when we return, the parents have suddenly hardened their hearts and have no more desire to hear us, and therefore no longer permit their children to hear our messages. The worst part about it is that their children will grow up seeing this same example, and will become just as closed to change as their parents. However, there are those rare blessings that God will give to help that child have a chance.
For example, there are a few young men we are teaching that are really excellent. One is a young man about 14 years old. In his family, the father had left some time ago, leaving him, his mother, and his sister to fend for themselves. Under these conditions, this young man has grown to be the "father" of the family, supporting his mom and sister, and doing everything he can to help them. With that, the mother has given him the liberty to do what he needs. We came to know him when a friend of his (a member) brought him to seminary to see how it is. After that, we began to teach him. Although he still doesn't understand everything, his desire to know and follow Christ is through the roof. If everything ends well, he'll be baptized this week.
The other two young men are friends that have left home to live on their own. One is 17, the other 18, and have left home because they felt the example their parents gave was terrible and no longer wanted to stay. So, they dropped out of school to get jobs and rent a place together. That was a while ago, so now they're already a little better off. When we began talking to them, they seemed more like those rebellious young teens most people expect, but after a while, we found out they really wanted to have a better life, and something greater to follow. They live about forty minutes from the church on foot, but until now have unfailingly walked there for the last few activities and meetings. They still are rather rebellious, but never will that get between them and their goals.
Anyway, if everything goes right, we'll be filling up the baptismal font a lot these next few weeks. Thanks everyone for all the prayers and support. I'll make sure to pray for all of you too.
Until next time,
Elder Angus
wotw:
casa (kah-zah) House/Home. It's funny when Spanish Elders teach because they always pronounce this wrong. :)
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